Opiates are a powerful class of drugs that doctors prescribe to treat pain. While they have a practical use, they’re also extremely addictive. If you start taking opiates and then suddenly stop, you may experience opiate withdrawal.
What Is Opiate Withdrawal?
Withdrawal can occur with any addictive drug, including opiates. Addictive drugs change the chemical makeup of your brain, causing a dependency to form. When you stop taking the drugs, your body experiences physical symptoms of withdrawal.
Not everyone experiences withdrawal once they stop taking opiates. However, people are more likely to experience withdrawal the longer they take a drug at high doses. In regard to opiates, withdrawal varies from mild to severe. This varying degree of severity is why people should seek help when they detox from opiates.
Common Opiates
Prescription pain pills are opiates and fairly easy for people to get their hands on. Some common prescription painkillers that are opiates include:
- Oxycontin
- Dilaudid
- Morphine
- Vicodin
Heroin is also an opiate, which is one reason why it’s so addictive. The majority of opiate addictions start with prescription drugs. People turn to illegal street drugs when their prescriptions run out.
Famous Cases of Opiate Abuse
Studies show that one reason people don’t seek opiate addiction treatment is because they feel alone. Sometimes they feel embarrassed that they can’t stop on their own. However, opiate addiction is a common problem.
In fact, many famous celebrities have suffered or do suffer from opiate addiction. In some cases, they fall victim to it. One example is American actor Heath Ledger. He died from a prescription drug overdose that included oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Another example is comedian Chris Farley. He died from a cocaine and morphine overdose. Like in these cases, people who abuse opiates often abuse other drugs as well.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Some opiate withdrawal symptoms are extreme while others are minor. Some of the minor ones include muscle aches and anxiety. However, these symptoms can become more serious, such as vomiting, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure.
Extreme withdrawal is an even bigger problem when users have other medical conditions. For example, actor Chris Farley also had heart disease complications.
Get the Help You Need From Steps to Recovery
At Steps to Recovery, our goal is to provide you with the help you need to fight opiate addiction. We offer an intimate environment where you can feel safe to battle your addiction. Our clients get the special attention that they deserve thanks to our three-to-one, staff-to-client ratio. During treatment, some of the areas that we cover include:
- Family and group addiction counseling
- Addiction education
- Expanding life skills
- Long-term sobriety goal planning
At Steps to Recovery, we use a 12-step program addiction treatment model. We offer intensive outpatient programs that allow our clients to continue work and school while they get treatment. We also pride ourselves on having strong links with off-site detox facilities to begin your recovery.
Don’t let the fear of opiate withdrawal keep you from getting the help that you need. Get proper care with compassionate experts at Steps to Recovery. Why not get sober today? Call 267.719.8528.
